I am a ChangeMaker

I have now been in San Diego for a week and a couple of days. Reflecting back is a little difficult, I have had a very busy week. Lets start with my job…

My job is AWESOME!

It is wonderful to work in an environment with people that love their work. There is an energy that consumes the office. This energy is “passion”… a passion for education, a passion for life, and a passion for helping others. The love they have for their work is evident, as they are also great at their job.

I must admit I had my reservations when coming to the University of San Diego (USD), I heard great things about the Ph.D. program but the campus at-large I was still unfamiliar with. In a very short period, all reservations are gone and they have been replaced with sheer excitement.

USD is a private catholic school. Many of the students come from privileged backgrounds (nothing wrong with that). I went to Fresno State, many of the students there are first-generation/ low-income (nothing wrong with that). I have had discussions of privilege, and more specifically white privilege at both universities.

To my surprise, it was not until I got to USD and worked for the Center of Awareness, Service, and Action (CASA) that I was able to have a very, very honest discussion on white privilege.

It is encouraging that the people around me are so aware of their surroundings. It is also inspiring that the people around me are cognizant of how their actions effect not only them but the larger community we live in.

Working for CASA has re-instilled my motivation for why I want to work in higher education.

I have always thought of myself as one that serves his community, but it was not until today did I ever ask myself, am I changing my community? Furthermore, I must ask myself, am I changing my community in such a manner that the future generations that will come after me will also be able to thrive as I have?

I have now taken a personal oath to become a ChangeMaker.

In keeping with my personal values, which are to serve God first, I believe in order to stay true to this; my community needs to become a priority as well. To love yourself, is to love your neighbor. We will only thrive if our community is thriving, and if our community is struggling then so will we.

Therefore, God give me strength, so I can strength my community, and then allow me to reap the benefits, so the cycle can continue.